Now that P5's are coming without roof racks...

[ph0enixrising]

Any chance that the mechanics at Mazda dealerships know anything about taking them off older models? I always wanted to take mine completely off. (not just remove the cross bars), but I don't have the know how to do so myself. I figure since dealers are selling the P5 without them, or offering to install them, they might be willing to take them off older models, and put the stripping in, for a moderate price. Think so?

 

[CruzinAltitude]

When you got your Pro5 didnt they give you the kit and directions on how to remove them. If not you should contact your dealer. When I got home I was looking in around in the car and there was a bag of plastic parts, in the bag was the directions and everything.

 

[KYREDP5]

I'm sure he means removing the whole thing, including the plastic trim, which requires removal of the headliner among other things.

I'm sure the Mazda dealer would do it for you, as to how much you'd pay I have no idea.

 

[Jim Frye]

It's documented here

I believe it's in the "How To" forum. It involves removing some interior trim pieces and the entire headliner in order to remove the rail mounts and everything. Dealer cost to remove it would probably be on an hourly basis. I'm guessing an experienced tech. could do it in 2 -3 hours. Jim

 

[ph0enixrising]

Thanks Jim. I had seen threads on people removing theirs, but I don't trust myself enough to start removing the headliner and crap like that. I think I'll give my dealer a call, and see what it would cost to completely remove the roof rack.

 

[azeli73]

Talk to a buddy of mine here in AZ. Username: Slooper. http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/member.php?action=getinfo&userid=641

He was telling me at a meet how he can get a kit... somewhere in Canada i believe...

 

[ArkosP5]

I'd like to step in here.

Dealer labor costs are somewhere around 60-70 on the cheap side right?

I've done the roof rack removal, and am GLAD I didn't pay someone else to do it. It takes quite some time, but if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, it is quite an easy task. Especially with the walk through that someone has up, and (I used) the factory manual.

There's nothing really involved in it (like I would imagine changing cams or something like that) it just takes some time.